McStay Brother Loses Hope of Finding Family

Family vanished almost two years ago, possibly crossed border

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

A family member of the missing family from Fallbrook is convinced that they are the victims of foul play.

Mike McStay said that he still has hope his brother Joseph, his sister in law Summer and nephews Gianni and Joseph Mateo are still alive, but he can't deny the strong evidence that they are not.

McStay Brother Loses Hope of Finding Family

A family member of the missing a family from Fallbrook is convinced that they are the victims of foul play. (Published Thursday, March 8, 2012)

"My brother would not disappear like this," Mike said.

In February 2010, Joseph and his family suddenly vanished from their home in Fallbrook, leaving virtually no clues to what happened to them.

Images: The McStay Family

The family's Izusu trooper was found illegally parked at the border a short time after the McStays were reported missing.

Mike says the family has about $100,000 in their bank accounts and to this day, not one penny has been withdrawn.

San Diego's Missing Children

"What does it take for a family of four to survive right now where ever they are at?" Mike said. "It takes money."

Mike says he still contacts the San Diego County Sheriff's homicide team every week to see if there are any new leads, but there are none. The only explanation may have been found on grainy surveillance video taken at the San Ysidro border crossing which shows a family of four resembling the McStays as they walk into Mexico.

But Mike is not convinced by it.

"Possibly the boys, possibly Summer, I never felt like it was my brother, but that thing just raised more questions than anything."

Mike admits the evidence is too strong that something horrible happened to the McStays and it has been difficult for him and other family members to accept that reality.

"Once they cross that border, if that's them, then all bets are off," Mike said.

Mike also says Joseph has a 15-year-old son from a previous marriage that he would never leave behind or stop contacting for that matter.

Mike is hoping someone will come forward with information about what happened so he and his family can have some type of closure.

"For me, the last 20 months have been an up and down roller-coaster emotionally."

Mike also says the case is open and active but detectives need something to point them toward the truth about the disappearance. He's asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers. The cable show, "E Investigates" is now putting together an episode about the McStay family which is set to air in December.